It can probably take 2-3 tries to really get into it, but once you pick it up, it's actually fairly easy, cute, and even kinda relaxing. The reason to 'tries' is I've tried to play it a few other times but never got really far- most of 2 hours. But this is because I'm one who usually wants a lot of goals or things I can do as I play, and usually play free-roaming games.

It's definitely more strategic, and isn't really alot to do but explore lands, try to breed the genetics you need or want, and, that's really it. Thanks to the Story Mode, it gave me more of a 'goal' at least to keep doing and get to, and there was alot more different island to actually see and explore. The achievement to get all Genes is also a nice goal to push me to keep playing. People also come up with 'challenges' you can also try but, as said, it's actually pretty easy once you know how the game works. (But I guess any game would be like that lol).

• Create a creature you'd like; Works in most environments usually. (A positive to me who likes specific genes personally more than just to match environment.)
  
• Easy to learn and pick up.
  
• Simple and cute aesthetics.
  
• Story mode and plenty of genes to follow and unlock.
  
• Genes are variety enough and unique for specific tasks and environments (and for one's personal like) but not too many to be overwhelming.
  
• Intricate genes that also affect creatures survival: like patterns and color to blend with environment.

• Not too much challenge, only Killer level islands seem to actually be difficult.
  
• Depends on person, but 'luck' can play factor if you keep island hopping, trying to get to a specific one, and still can't find- even finding the whale that helps take you to island of choice . So RNG can make game time drag if you like being speedy.
  
• Surprisingly a 'hot' game for your computer temp wise, even windowed.
  
• Wish there was just a bit more to do besides breed and island hop. But even idk how I'd add to that lol.
  
  
  -> Credit to JessiMew on Youtube (You will be missed wherever you are) who actually intrigued me to play. But I think her story telling while playing is what made the game more interesting than the game itself for me at first. So I've actually been playing while listening to her videos~.

Niche is a game that focuses on helping a tribe of animals to survive through the generations. This means that you have to manage how much food is being eaten, watch out for predators and the climate, where you travel, who you let join the tribe, and as the title suggests, the breeding of new generations. By understanding the genetics of this animal species, you will choose the parents of the new generation to give the species the best fighting chance it might have.

I don't think I'm ready to claim that this game will make you a master of genetics, but it might teach you the basics of it, or whatever you didn't learn in school already at least. But the game is cute and fun, and a little heartbreaking at times once you've gotten attached to the tribe. If you wished your management sims contained more cute animals, this might very well be the game for you.

When I was younger, I was obsessed with watching content creators play Niche, even from it's beta stages. Despite not personally being very academic or science-y, Niche takes a very interesting way to educate people on genetics and genealogy. And if you are like me, and you aren't too bothered about the sciences in Niche, it's still a very interesting role-playing game where you create your own tribes, families, hierarchy and roles for your little creatures to really bring the world to life. I fully believe it's the responsibility of the player, as much as the game developers, to make the game engaging and I find the best way to do that is create my own story lines whilst finding interesting ways to unlock the genetics. I can fully understand why people may get bored of it but I wouldn't say that's the fault of the game; you could absolutely spend hours in a single world!

I know I have little hours on steam but I play this religiously on the switch ! ❤️